Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak is the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national general secretary (organisation) who is leading the party’s expansion efforts. The former IIT professor talks with The Indian Express about why a proposed meeting between eight Chief Ministers of non-BJP and non-Congress states — an AAP initiative — did not take place, the AAP's equations with the Congress, and how the party’s organisation is shaping up in poll-bound states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. Two months ago, you said the AAP was analysing its prospects across states to firm up its expansion strategy. Where do things stand now? In the past two months, we analysed where we stand in terms of electoral prospects, organisation, and everything that matters to a political party. Then we decided to fight polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, as well as Karnataka. Recently, there was an attempt by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hold a dialogue with eight chief ministers under the G8 umbrella. But why did the proposed dinner meeting get cancelled? As a political party, we do not believe in the politics of acrimony and viciousness practised by the BJP under Narendra Modi. We want to forge good ties with everyone. There will always be political differences but agenda-based and issue-based cooperation can always happen. Sometimes you join hands for a cause. This (G8) is never about coming together as a political front. The date became an issue, so the proposed dinner did not happen but wider consultations have already taken place and more are in the pipeline. Then what is the G8 all about? It is not a political platform. It is a governance platform. It has been decided that all the participating chief ministers will visit one state each month and see the good work being done by that CM to learn and replicate in respective states. Several rounds of discussions have already taken place with the CMs and their officials. It is a work in progress. However, dates and other modalities are to be finalised. But the Congress was not invited, right? As of date, they are not there. But as we go along, more are likely to join. Are you contesting all the seats in Karnataka? Yes. The good thing in Karnataka is that our organisation has taken a very good shape as it has touched nearly all wards and villages. And we have identified some good candidates. This will be great learning for us in south India. We are expecting some seats as well. Generally, the perception is that the AAP makes inroads where the Congress is weak. But, in Karnataka, the Congress appears relatively strong. If you analyse factually, then this is not true. Our narrative and idea are not anti-Congress or the space that the Congress occupies. Our narrative is politics of work. The sense of association with the government that the common man feels goes up when the AAP enters the picture. And therefore we equally hit the Congress and the BJP. Our idea is more economical, making the lives of people easier. Our politics is class-specific and our base cares very little about ideologies. We cut into Congress votes more because it doesn't have fire in the belly while the BJP is fighting. We cannot be blamed for the inability of the Congress. In order of priority, how will you rank Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh? So far, we were going one state at a time because we were learning how to fight elections and did not want to spread ourselves thin. Now, the time has come to multiply and fight polls in many states at the same time. We are not prioritising in terms of our efforts. This is a conscious decision based on analysis as we are capable now. But do you have the organisational strength to contest in such large states? Within the next couple of days, we will announce new organisations and new office-bearers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It will be followed by block-level, circle-level and village-level organisations over the next 40-45 days. The size of a state hardly matters. At times, the smaller the state the harder it is. Take Goa for example. A large state is a large state for every party. Even the BJP has to maintain its grip across the state. So, the larger the state, the better it is for me. Will you strike alliances in any of these states? We are not aligning with any party. There are many small political parties in these states and they have been contacting us. But we are very clear that we will not dilute our stand. Their leaders are free to join us. I am confident we will break into these states and it will be much more deeper and impactful than Gujarat in terms of the number also. Will you focus more on certain regions or pockets in these states? If you focus on a limited region, you don't manage to build your narrative or campaign. If you project yourself half-heartedly, why will a voter waste his franchise? But yes, there are areas that can be considered fertile for us. Like the belts in Rajasthan adjoining Punjab, Delhi, and Gujarat. In Gujarat, we were told we have some presence only in Surat. But the message travelled everywhere. The bottom line is that the public wants alternative politics that we offer. The perception is that your hands are increasingly tied with your ministers in jail while Punjab is in a volatile state. It is sad that people like Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain are in jail. But unwittingly, it has become a little easier to expand now. They have put people in jail whose public perception is good, one person makes schools and another makes hospitals. The public feels they have been put in jail for political reasons and that the BJP is trying to finish the AAP. So, when I try to expand my base elsewhere, I find my cadre more motivated. The neutral voters are increasingly drifting towards the AAP. It is a political situation that is helping us. It would have been bad for us if they were perceived as corrupt. The Modi government has misread the situation by challenging people emotionally. Going forward, will you enter into alliances ahead of the 2024 general elections? We do not believe in complicated political alliances. Our agenda is new age. We go to the public with good ideas. I am ruling out political alliances in the Lok Sabha as well. It is not wise to form these kinds of alliances. When you go to the public saying we have come together to defeat an individual, the message is never accepted.
